IFC Center Ignores ‘R’ Rating for ‘Citizenfour’

IFC Center Ignores 'R' Rating for 'Citizenfour'

The IFC Center in New York thinks teens should be able to see “Citizenfour,” the award-winning Laura Poitras documentary about Edward Snowden.

In a statement on its web site, the theater writes: “While the MPAA has assigned ‘Citizenfour’ a rating of R, recommending that no one under 17 be admitted without a parent or guardian, IFC Center feels that the film is appropriate viewing for mature adolescents. Accordingly, we will admit high school-age patrons at our discretion.”

Over at boingboing, they’ve shared a photo of a notice posted outside the theater which not only informs teenagers that they can see the documentary, but suggests it is their civic duty. “Not only do we feel the film is suitable for teens, we feel it is essential viewing for anyone who may vote in the next election.”

This doesn’t mark the first time the IFC Center has ignored the MPAA’s rating system. Earlier this year, they admitted high schoolers to the R-rated “Boyhood” and last year they admitted high schoolers to the NC-17 rated French sensation “Blue is the Warmest Color.”